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Borussia Dortmund gets ready to the battle versus FC Garabagh

18 August 2010 22:55 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Borussia Dortmund are eagerly awaiting the Europa League play-off match against Garabagh Akdam, APA reports quoting bvb.de web-page.

"On top of the anticipation, thereÂ´s also now a sense of tension," said BVB coach JÃ¼rgen Klopp in the build-up to ThursdayÂ´s game at the Signal Iduna Park (KO 2105 CET). "We feel that itÂ´s something important, something big for the club."

BVB have the chance to qualify for the group stages of a European competition for the first time in eight years, which according to sports director Michael Zorc could generate an additional revenue of "more than five million euros." BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke believes that it could also lay the foundation "for the further development of the team and the club" while Michael Zorc warned to "not count the chicken before they are hatched."

But this is very unlikely as the 1997 Champions League winners have a lot of respect for the supposed underdogs from Azerbaijan. "Outstanding" is how Klopp called GarabaghÂ´s first 30 minutes in the 3-2 home victory against Wisla Krakow in the previous round, and "deserved" their 1-0 away win at the Polish runner-ups. "We have collected lots of material about them," said Klopp, "actually more than we currently have about Bayer Leverkusen." For Klopp, the transition from defence to offence is GarabaghÂ´s big strength, and he also mentioned "flexible players who are able to play some fine football."

The game plan is clearly defined. "Gaining confidence by pressing the opposition," so Klopp. "We want to play dominantly and we will not fall into their trap!" Almost exactly two years ago, Borussia Dortmund played their last game in Europe, against the (at that time) Serie A leaders Udinese Calcio (0-2 at home, 2-0 at Udinese, knocked out on penalties), and since then his team has "developed greatly". Klopp added: "At that time we were twice brutally caught on the break. We gave little protection to the defence there."

JÃ¼rgen KloppÂ´s men will try to do better at the Signal Iduna Park on Thusday night. "We will give our all and we will try to play our style of football. But no matter how the game finishes," said Klopp, "thereÂ´s still a second leg."